The "biggest factor" in whether Boston Celtics center Kevin Garnett returns for another season will be his health, CSNNE.com's A. Sherrod Blakely reported Tuesday afternoon.

Garnett has said that Paul Pierce's fate will also play into his decision, but first the center needs to feel healthy enough to compete at a high level during what would be his 19th season.

"If his body isn't where he wants it to be, Paul's return is a moot point of discussion," a league source told CSNNE.com.

After Boston's short playoff run ended, Garnett said he, Pierce and head coach Doc Rivers all agreed to take some time away before making any decisions about the future.

"Too emotional," he said. "Obviously, it was a big game, tough loss, especially at home. But more importantly in the future, it's a different day for that conversation."

Garnett missed 10 of Boston's final 13 regular season games with bone spurs in his foot/ankle. Though he returned to play in all of Boston's six playoff games, he required enough pregame treatment on his body that several teammates referred to him as an inspiration just because he managed to suit up every day. At one point during the postseason, Rivers said he felt that most other players would have stopped playing rather than submit themselves to so much preparation.

President of basketball operations Danny Ainge indicated that Garnett's injury is not expected to require surgery, but -- almost 53,000 minutes into what's surely a Hall of Fame career -- his body presumably doesn't bounce back like it once did.

Ainge told CSNNE that he still hasn't talked to Garnett about his future plans. Earlier during the offseason, the front office executive said that even if he spoke to Garnett, "I'm not ready to answer everything that he will want to know." Ainge was likely referring at least partially to his decision on Pierce, which he says still hasn't been made.